Assistant Area Engineer - Transport Design & Project Lead

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid work options

Paid holidays and vacation

Tuition assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

WSDOT is seeking two Assistant Area Engineers in Kelso and Chehalis to support the Project Engineer in delivering highway design and construction projects that meet local, state, and federal standards while staying on scope, schedule, and budget.

You’ll lead an office of professional and technical engineers, manage design and contract development of multiple projects, and ensure plans are constructible, permits aligned, and the work is safe and environmentally responsible.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineering Certification: Licensed as a Civil Professional Engineer in WA or eligible to obtain WA licensure within six months.
• Civil Engineering expertise: broad experience in highway design, construction, and PS&E.
• Transportation design & delivery: leadership across planning, environmental review, design, and construction.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Project Engineer to plan budget, schedule, and workforce for Capital Improvement and Preservation Program (CIPP).
• Lead an office of engineers, interns, and consultants in design and contract development per standards and good engineering judgment.
• Ensure projects meet policy, scope, schedule, and budget; plans are constructable, permit-ready, and bid-ready.
• Communicate professionally with leadership, agencies, customers, and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with citizens, media, elected officials, contractors, and consultants to plan, build, maintain, and operate a transportation system.
• Report project status to Regional and Statewide Executive Management to improve accountability.
• Coordinate input and resolve conflicts with internal and external parties.
• Prepare to certify projects with Professional Engineer stamp, ensuring adherence to WSDOT standards.
• Ensure environmentally responsible project delivery.

Skills

Civil PE license

Civil Engineering

Transportation design

Project management

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Growth mindset

Service oriented

Job description

WSDOT is seeking two Assistant Area Engineers in Kelso and Chehalis to support the Project Engineer in delivering highway design and construction projects that meet local, state, and federal standards while staying on scope, schedule, and budget.

You’ll lead an office of professional and technical engineers, manage design and contract development of multiple projects, and ensure plans are constructible, permits aligned, and the work is safe and environmentally responsible.